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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupts twice in 2 days, unleashing 6-mile-high ash cloud
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A volcano in Indonesia sent gigantic ash plumes into the sky during two eruptions on Tuesday (June 17) and Wednesday (June 18). Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki first erupted at 5:35 p.m. local time (5:35 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, unleashing a mushroom-shaped ash cloud measuring more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) high, Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said in a translated statement. The cloud was visible up to 95 miles (150 km) from the volcano and showered nearby villages with debris, according to the statement. The eruption was accompanied by rumbling, lightning and thunder, which is typical of explosive eruptions that spew enormous amounts of material, officials said. A second eruption shook Lewotobi Laki-laki on Wednesday, shooting more ash 3 miles (5 km) into the sky, the Associated Press reported. No casualties have been reported from these eruptions. Related: Watch mesmerizing 1,000-foot-tall lava fountains: Kilauea volcano erupting in ways not seen for 40 years Lewotobi Laki-laki is one of two volcanic peaks on the Lewotobi edifice in Flores, an island in eastern Indonesia with about 2 million inhabitants. The other peak, Lewotobi Perempuan, is located less than 1.2 miles (2 km) away from Lewotobi Laki-laki and is currently less active. "Laki-laki" means "man" in Indonesian, while "perempuan" is a word for "woman" with somewhat derogatory connotations. Warning signs at Lewoboti Laki-laki prompted officials to raise the eruption alert to the highest level on Tuesday, according to the statement. RELATED STORIES —Mount Etna eruption in images: See Europe's largest active volcano blow from different angles —Never-before-seen chain of volcanoes discovered hiding near the Cook Islands —The closer a volcano is to erupting, the greener the trees around it look from space Muhammad Wafid, the head of Indonesia's Geological Survey at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, ordered evacuations within a radius of about 4 miles (7 km) from the eruption center and in an area where there is a risk of lava flows due to heavy rain. "We immediately deployed an Emergency Response Team to immediately be at the affected location to provide technical assistance," Wafid said in the statement. Dozens of flights were canceled or delayed as a result of the eruptions. An eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in November 2024 killed at least 10 people. The volcano also erupted in March 2025.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
Is it safe to travel to Bali? Latest information after volcano eruption
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic country, and it boasts a staggering 17,000 islands, many of which, including Bali, Lombok, Sumba, Sumatra and Flores, are popular holiday destinations. However, the nation's unique geography is down to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on the island of Flores, erupted at around 5.30pm local time on Tuesday, impacting flights going to and from Bali. Got a trip booked? Here's everything you need to know. Is it safe to travel to Bali? At 5.35 local time on June 17, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spewed an ash cloud which reached more than 11km into the sky. No casualties have been reported, but local authorities have raised the highest alert level and advised residents to avoid the 7km radius of the crater, and to wear masks to protect against inhaling volcanic ash. According to the BBC, Muhammad Wafid, head of the Geology Agency, has warned against the potential for lahar floods (which is a type of volcanic debris) if heavy rain falls. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has said at least one village has been evacuated, with ash rain being reported in multiple areas outside of the exclusion zone. The volcano erupted again early this morning, according to Reuters, and the radius to avoid has been extended to 8km. Though flights to and from Bali have been impacted by the eruption, it's still safe to visit Bali. Where was the volcanic eruption in Indonesia? Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is on the Indonesian island of Flores, which is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands in the eastern half of the archipelago. Bali is located to the west of Flores. Are more eruptions expected? Indonesia's geological agency reportedly recorded more than 50 tremors in the two hours leading up to Tuesday's eruption, which drastically exceeds the daily regularity of between eight and 10 events. It's not clear whether more eruptions are expected, though authorities believe the ash cloud should clear by this evening. The best thing to do is monitor local news for all the latest information. Have flights to Bali been cancelled? Yes. While Indonesian authorities are expecting the cloud to clear by Wednesday night, multiple airlines have cancelled flights to and from Bali. Data from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali shows that so far, 37 flights have been cancelled due to the ash cloud, including ones operated by Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia. The BBC also reports that several domestic AirAsia flights leaving for Flores were cancelled. Three airports in East Nusa Tenggara province, including Fransiskus Xaverius Seda in Maumere, have been closed until Thursday by the government to prioritise the safety of passengers. What is the UK Foreign Office saying? The FCDO has not updated its Indonesia travel advice page specifically in light of this eruption, but it does advise against all travel to the following volcanic sites: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, to within 7km of the crater Mount Sinabung, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, to within 5km of the crater Mount Marapi, West Sumatra, to within 3km of the crater Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency, East Java, to within 5km of the crater and in the south-east of Mount Semura to within 500m from any riverbank of the Besuk Kobokan river for 13km from the crater Mount Ruang, Northern Sulawesi, to within 7km of the crater Mount Ibu, North Maluku Province, to within 7km of the crater The safety and security section of this advice page also reads: 'There are lots of active volcanoes in Indonesia. They can erupt without warning and eruptions have caused destruction and fatalities. The authorities usually evacuate villages within a 3km to 7km radius of the eruption.' 'Check news reports and updates on volcanic activity (in Bahasa language) before travelling to areas that are prone to volcanic activity. While near any volcano, you should: respect exclusion zones; monitor local media; stay alert and listen to any local warnings; follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.' What are your rights if you've booked a trip to Bali? To see if your trip can be rearranged or cancelled, you'll need to contact your travel provider directly, as the advice from the FCDO will not automatically entitle you to a full refund. If you do enter one of the zones advised against by the FCDO, that will invalidate your travel insurance. When was the last eruption in Indonesia? Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki's last eruption was in May, when the threat level was raised to the most severe, but it also erupted several times back in November 2024, leading to nine deaths and the evacuation of thousands of residents.
Ammon
3 days ago
- Ammon
Bali flights cancelled after Indonesia volcano erupts
Ammon News - Several flights to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali have been cancelled or delayed after one of country's most active volcanoes erupted. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on the island of Flores spewed an ash tower more than 11 km (6.8mi) into the sky at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST) on Tuesday, the country's volcanology agency said. There have not been any reports of casualties. Authorities have raised the highest alert level and advised residents to avoid activities within a 7km radius around the crater. Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia were among those that have cancelled flights to and from Bali, located west of Flores. Flight data from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at noon on Wednesday showed that over 20 flights have been cancelled due to the volcano. Several domestic AirAsia flights leaving for Flores have also been cancelled. The twin-peaked volcano erupted multiple times in November, killing nine people and forcing thousands to flee. Geology agency head Muhammad Wafid warned of potential lahar floods - a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials - if heavy rain occurs.
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Climate
- Saudi Gazette
Indonesia issues highest alert as volcano erupts
JAKARTA — One of Indonesia's most active volcanoes spewed a huge ash cloud more than 11 kilometers into the sky on Tuesday after officials issued the country's highest alert. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, erupted at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST), the country's volcanology agency said, sending the vast cloud above the tourist island of Flores. A 7km exclusion zone was in place around the crater of the 1,584m (one mile) high twin-peaked volcano. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The volcano erupted multiple times in November, killing nine people and forcing thousands to flee. The ash cloud also forced flight cancellations. Geology agency head Muhammad Wafid said no one should carry out any activities within 7km of the eruption, and warned of potential lahar floods — a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials — if heavy rain occurs. Residents were also urged to wear face masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency meanwhile said that at least one village had been evacuated, and ash rain was reported in several others outside the exclusion zone. A spokesman called on residents around the volcano "to evacuate to safe locations" as tremors were still being detected, which indicated ongoing volcanic activity. Lewotobi Laki-laki's last eruption was in May, when authorities also raised the level to the most severe. Laki-Laki, which means "man" in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703m named Perempuan, the Indonesian word for "woman". — BBC
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Climate
- Sinar Daily
Indonesia volcano erupts with kilometre-high ash cloud
The latest rumblings follow authorities on Sunday evening raising the alert level of the 1,584-metre (5,197-foot) twin-peaked volcano to the highest in the country's four-tiered system. 19 May 2025 01:50pm Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts spewing volcanic ash, as seen from Nobo village in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, on May 18, 2025. (Photo by Bung Sila/AFP) JAKARTA - A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted Monday, spewing an ash cloud more than a kilometre high after authorities raised the country's highest alert level. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on the tourist island of Flores erupted shortly after midnight, sending an ash cloud 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) above its peak, Indonesia's volcanology agency reported. The volcano erupted once more at 09:36 am (0136 GMT), the agency said. The latest rumblings follow authorities on Sunday evening raising the alert level of the 1,584-metre (5,197-foot) twin-peaked volcano to the highest in the country's four-tiered system. "Lewotobi Laki-Laki's activities are still high," Indonesia's geological agency head Muhammad Wafid warned Sunday. "The potential for a larger eruption than before can occur," he said in a statement. A series of eruptions on Sunday spewed ash as high as six kilometres above Laki-Laki's peak, according to the volcanology agency. Wafid urged residents to wear face masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash, while telling people not to carry out any activities at least six kilometres from the crater. The geological agency chief also warned of the possibility of hazardous lahar floods -- a type of mud or debris flow -- if heavy rain occurs, particularly for communities around rivers that originate at the volcano's peak. In November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted multiple times, killing nine people, cancelling scores of international flights to Bali and forcing the evacuation of thousands. Laki-Laki, which means man in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703-metre (5,587-foot) volcano named Perempuan, after the Indonesian word for woman. Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire". - AFP More Like This
